The Greater Memphis Chamber’s Small Business Council launched Advice on Tap, a program that offers small and mid-sized businesses free 30-minute consultations with the region’s leading minds.The purpose of this program is to provide our small business members with a network of business intelligence that they can tap into when they need it most. This network of experienced, well-established business leaders represents areas such as marketing, IT, business law, sales, PR, finance, accounting and human resources.

If you are a small business owner (or if communications falls under your job description), you probably identify with one of these remarks: I don’t think I need a blog; I have been putting off starting a blog; I have a blog that is not doing so well; I have a great blog that I am always trying to improve. Whichever one of those best describes your current situation, you can benefit from these four tips.

It may seem like big companies get all the attention from job-seekers, but small businesses are a key piece of the economy. Small businesses account for 99.7 percent of U.S. employer firms and 64 percent of net new private-sector jobs. The presence of large companies like FedEx, ServiceMaster, AutoZone, International Paper and others benefits Memphis. However, small business owners may wonder how they can compete for top talent. Salary matters in recruiting and retention, but alternative benefits can provide added value to sway prospective employees. Consider the following to implement in your business (and then communicate to new talent prospects).

Millennials are no longer the young, hip, vibrant crowd that leads the way in technology and spending. We’re growing up, settling down and handing the reigns over.The next generation is here and they’re more powerful than we millennials ever thought about being. Their name is Generation Z. Known as Centennials or iGen, Gen Z is the latest group of rising adults, and a powerful audience that requires a shift in marketing focus to reach.

Do you enjoy planning? It’s okay to say “no." For example, do you dread and put off getting your budget done? It’s okay to say “yes!" And, who has time for sitting in tedious strategy meetings, talking about what to do instead of doing it?

Your business may be small, but that doesn't mean that your impact can't be huge! The Greater Memphis Chamber's Small Business Council serves to encourage, support, recognize and be a resource to small- and medium-sized businesses in the Memphis area. Here, our talented panel of contributors will present big ideas that could make a huge difference to your small business. And don't be afraid to ask questions ... no matter how small.

CONTRIBUTORS

VOSS GRAHAMSales & Small Business OwnershipVoss W. Graham is CEO and Senior Business Advisor for InnerActive Consulting Group Inc. He is known by his clients as "a knowledgeable partner who helps our team achieve business growth." He provides practical experience as a small business owner for over 29 years, yet is often engaged with Fortune 500 companies in the development of their people and business strategies.

OBSIDIAN PUBLIC RELATIONSPublic RelationsSeveral professionals and strategists from the local Obsidian Public Relations firm provide excellent advice on everything from research to media relations to event planning. They believe that all companies, no matter how big or small the company or its budget, should have a public relations plan driving how they manage their relationships with key stakeholders. Public relations is an integral part of doing business the right way.

JOEL MYERSHuman ResourcesJoel Myers is a career Human Resources professional, with over 40 years in the field including 26 years in consulting.

TOM PEASESmall Business AdviceTom Pease is a small business owner of an office equipment dealership called e/Doc Systems, Inc. He has also owned a full-line Kawasaki dealership as well as a document shop. He used 30+ years of experience in owning a business to author two books, including: Going Out of Business by Design: Why 70% of Small Businesses Fail and Small Business Survival 101. He also has published 85 columns in The Memphis Daily News as the Small Business Advisor.

LORI TURNER-WILSONMarketing & Public RelationsLori Turner-Wilson is CEO and Founder of RedRover Company, a sales development, marketing and PR consulting firm. Lori works with companies large and small, from start-ups to mature organizations, to help them improve the productivity of their sales force and the return on their marketing investment. Lori writes a weekly syndicated column for the Daily News, Memphis News, Nashville Ledger, and Desoto Times, among others, titled “Guerrilla Sales & Marketing,” for which she won a 2011 Summit International Award and 2012 International Communicator Award.

INFERNODesign and Digital StrategyFounded in 1999, inferno provides brand development, advertising, public relations, design and digital marketing services to clients across a broad spectrum of industries. Headquartered in Memphis with a satellite office in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the award-winning firm produces results-driven work by passionately combining strategic thinking, creativity and culture to ensure the success of its clients. For more information, visit www.creativeinferno.com.

FISHER PHILLIPS LLPLabor & Employment LawFisher Phillips attorneys are ready to help you take a stand: in court, with employees and unions, or with competitors. Fisher Phillips has the experience and resolve to back you up. That's why some of the savviest employers come to the firm to handle their toughest labor and employment cases. The firm has 350 attorneys in 32 offices, including Memphis. For more information, visit www.fisherphillips.com.

PARAGON BANKFinanceSince its founding in 2005, Paragon Bank has maintained a solid focus on the community and customer service. For more than 10 years, Paragon has delivered innovative products and financial expertise, convenience, and a deep understanding of what both businesses and individuals need from a ban, in order to provide solutions that make a difference. In the areas of business or personal banking, lending options or wealth management, Paragon delivers cutting edge technology, an experienced team and the most service-oriented staff of any community bank.